Chandigarh: Functionaries of several opposition parties from Punjab were detained here on Sunday as they attempted to march towards chief minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence, demanding swift action in the alleged abetment to suicide case of Punjab State Warehousing Corporation district manager Gagandeep Singh Randhawa.Leaders from the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), BJP and CPI gathered at the MLA hostel before launching the protest. The Chandigarh Police stopped them en route, used water cannons to disperse the crowd, and detained several leaders. They were later released.The protesters demanded the immediate arrest of former transport minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, his father Sukhdev Singh Bhullar, and personal assistant Dilbag Singh. They also called for a CBI probe into the case.Leader of opposition in Punjab assembly Partap Singh Bajwa alleged serious wrongdoing, saying that the allegations indicated Randhawa was subjected to confinement and extortion. “The facts clearly establish cognisable offences, and the law must take its due course without delay or dilution,” he said.The Congress leader also questioned the pace of the investigation. “Why have the police not yet seized the mobile phones of Laljit Singh Bhullar and his alleged accomplices?” Bajwa asked. He called for the collection of tower dump data and CCTV footage to preserve evidence.Bajwa demanded that provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act be invoked against Bhullar for misusing his official position to coerce a public servant into committing illegal acts.He further said: “The responsibility does not end with one individual. The managing director of Warehousing, the deputy commissioner of Amritsar, the chief secretary, and even CM Bhagwant Mann must be investigated and booked for dereliction of duty.”Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said: “An honest officer has lost his life due to pressure and corruption, and instead of ensuring justice, the govt is trying to suppress the truth.”Warring said the resignation of the minister was merely an eyewash and did not absolve the govt of its responsibility. “Why has no strict action been taken so far, and why are those named by the victim being shielded? This clearly shows that the govt is more interested in saving its image than delivering justice,” he added.Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar also targeted the state govt. “A group looting Punjab has taken control of the govt,” he said.Speaking to the mediapersons before heading for the protest, Jakhar said the Punjab BJP had decided to hold a protest on March 23 at all district headquarters against the govt. He also informed that he would participate in a district-level protest in Patiala.The senior leader further said: “After strong public opposition, the govt was forced last night to register a case against the minister, but no arrest has been made yet.”Emphasising that “there is no hope of justice from this govt”, Jakhar demanded, “the case be investigated by the CBI”.He also said the chief minister “has no moral right to remain in office”.The BJP leader alleged that under the guise of “extreme honesty”, extremely dishonest people had captured power in Punjab and were “openly looting” the state. “This is not a cabinet of ministers but a group, like gangsters, that is looting Punjab by all means.”SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia accused the govt of shielding the accused. “An AAP minister’s hooliganism, corruption and gangster threats pushed a capable officer to death,” he said.Majithia also claimed that the FIR was delayed. “The FIR, which was supposed to be registered on the morning of March 21, was instead registered at 1 am on March 22, showing the govt’s lack of seriousness,” he pointed out.The Akali leader also alleged pressure on the bereaved family, stating: “Instead of delivering justice, the police are threatening the family for a compromise.”Majithia demanded immediate arrests and a CBI probe into the case.Amid the political sparring, the deceased officer’s brother, Varinder Pal Singh, appealed for swift action. “Although an FIR has been registered, if the CM is truly honest, he should ensure the immediate arrest of the minister and other accused so that the family can perform the last rites,” he said.
